As a part of the network's upfront presentation, TV Land has renewed comedy Teachers for a second season, signed Younger creator Darren Star to its first overall deal, and ordered pilots for a remake of The First Wives Club and a comedy inspired by the life of Real Housewives' Kyle Richards.
"Looking ahead, we're developing shows that are funny but also embrace real dramatic moments," said Keith Cox, Executive Vice President, TV Land. "We're fortunate to be working with such amazing collaborators as we continue to reinvent the network."
The overall deal with Darren Star means the writer will stay in business at TV Land and develop more projects for the cable network. His latest comedy Younger starring Sutton Foster was given an early vote of confidence from the network in January when it was renewed for a third season before the second one debuted.
Meanwhile, original comedy series Teachers based on the web series of the same name has been picked for a super-sized second season which will include 20 episodes. The comedy was created by and stars improv group The Katydids - Caitlin Barlow, Katy Colloton, Cate Freedman, Kate Lambert, Katie O'Brien and Katie Thomas. The series opened in January to favorable reviews.
Moving over to the two new pilots, The First Wives Club is based on the book by Olivia Goldsmith which was adapted into a film in 1996 that starred Diane Keaton, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn. Rebecca Addelman (New Girl) will write the pilot, and executive produce with Jenny Bicks. Paramount Television will produce. Set in San Francisco, three friends and former classmates from the 1990s reconnect after their close friend from college dies in a freak accident. When they all discover that they're at a romantic crossroads, they unite to tackle divorce, relationships and life's other challenges.
The other pilot is an untitled comedy based on the life of Kyle Richards, who will serve as a co-executive producer. John Riggi (30 Rock) will write the pilot, and executive produce with John Wells and Andrew Stearn. Warner Horizon Television and John Wells Productions will produce. Set in the 1970s, the project revolves around 40-year-old Bonnie Nolan, who has a beautiful home and three beautiful daughters. However, she also has a cheating husband. Finding herself alone after her marriage fails, Bonnie has no means to support herself or her children.
Today's news from TV Land comes as the network has undergone a successful rebrand by focusing on edgier, single-camera comedies. Every new show picked up under this mandate has gone on to earn a second season - Younger, The Jim Gaffigan Show, Impastor, and now, Teachers. The cable network is also set to debut the new George Lopez-starring comedy Lopez on Wednesday, March 30.
The two pilot orders join the previously announced comedy Nobobies executive produced by Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone. The network also had a pilot for comedy I Shudder starring Hamish Linklater, Megan Hilty and Renée Elise Goldsberry. But now, it's being reported that the pilot will not move forward to series.
